Apple’s Safari License forbids Windows users from installing it.

Earlier this week, Apple got a little heat from a variety of sources (including me) about having Safari pop up through the Apple Software Update on Windows machines, even if you don’t have it previously installed on your PC.

Now, though, there is another little problem on the Window’s side of things that is, frankly, just plain funny.

According to the WINDOWS Safari license you are only allow to install Safari on “a single Apple-labeled computer at a time.” Which means by simply installing the application you are breaking the law.

I mean, come on – that’s funny…right?

UK paper The Register has, thankfully, consulted a lawyer and determined that you are in no danger of getting sued by Apple should you install Safari, because of a ” impossibility issue”. “You can’t enforce a term that’s impossible.” according to their source.

Update: Apple has quietly changed the licensing agreement according to MacNN. It now reads “allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on each computer owned or controlled by you.”

“This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time.”

Assuming that this wordage is the same on Macs, does that mean that if I use Back To My Mac/Screen Sharing on my MacBook to open up Safari on my iMac, I’m breaking the License Agreement?

Microsoft was bitten by that same mistake a week or two ago. After downloading the Microsoft Silverlight plugin for Mac, the license said…

FOR INTERNET EXPLORER 6 AND 7 ON WINDOWS XP SP2 AND WINDOWS VISTA, AND FOR FIREFOX 1.5+ ON WINDOWS XP SP2 AND WINDOWS VISTA adding later: INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. You may install and use any number of copies of the software only with the browser and operating system software named above.